What Can I Do?

Introduction

Good morning. Please open your Bibles to Colossians. The letter to the Colossians. Colossians chapter 4. I hope you are struck in Bible study by just how rich the scriptures are, and I don’t mean by that the beauty and eloquence, perhaps, or the simpleness of the Sermon on the Mount, or the amazing life that Jesus lived, and the horrific death that he suffered. I frankly don’t even mean examining all that the apostles went through, all that Paul suffered, and the great lengths at which Satan has gone to throughout time to drag away God’s people from him. I’m talking about how in the Bible, and oftentimes in places we’re not even looking for it, there are lessons to be learned, and understanding to be gleaned. Read with me in Colossians chapter 4, beginning in verse 7.

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him onisimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions, if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus, who is called justice. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hieropolis. Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans. And see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archipus, see that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. What we find in here is something that we generally, if you’re like me, tend to say, oh, that’s that’s great, Paul. Uh that’s I’m glad that there were hard workers there.

I’m glad there were people who comforted you. I’m glad they were fellow uh slaves to the kingdom of Christ. And frankly, I’m even glad that he had acquaintances. He wanted to give greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and that this person named Nympha, and this is the English Standard Version renders it a female, would have the church in her home. That certainly speaks well of her. And I read that, and I think, great. On to 1 Thessalonians. But I want to back up, and I want to look at this section this morning and consider could this be said of us? What could be said of you and your service to the kingdom? Because I think what we have revealed here by Paul is a great different number of varying ways to help out in the kingdom of God.

And Paul commends them for that. And that means something. And so let’s take it take some time this morning to consider what can I do in the kingdom of God. Sometimes I’m afraid that we get a little too caught up in thinking, well, I can’t do this, and I certainly can’t do that, and no one wants me over there working on this. Kind of reminds me of a story I came across that was talking about a young, a young man who was small in stature, and he was sitting next to an older man who was quite large in physique. And the boy said to him, If I was as big as you, I wouldn’t be afraid of anything. I’d go out in those woods over yonder, and I’d find the biggest bear I could who tear him limb from limb.

And the bigger fellow smiled and said, Well, there are a lot of little bears in those woods, too. We can’t do everything. But there is something for us to do in the kingdom of God. We’re going to seek out what is that little bear for us. And frankly, if he actually went out into the woods and started working, maybe you’d find you could handle a big bear after all. But we want to consider before we delve into some of the specifics of the people mentioned here, Colossians chapter 4. Look with me at another letter from the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians, excuse me, 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Look with me at 1 Corinthians chapter 12. In this passage, Paul is addressing spiritual gifts, but I think you’ll see a principle for church work that is strong and still remains.

1 Corinthians chapter 12, beginning in verse 1. Paul writes, Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. Now, going to verse 4. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge, according to the same Spirit. To another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit. To another, the working of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another, various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. Now note with me, verse 12, for just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. Certainly we would acknowledge there is one body of Christians, but did you notice, verse 12? For as the body, just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. There are many members, there are different gifts, and it doesn’t mean just spiritual gifts. If we would take this principle and say, each of these Corinthians had something they could offer to the work.

Each of the Corinthians had something that was valuable and given to them by God, I think we’d see that, while not necessarily reaching the spiritual gifts aspect this morning, that many of us do have gifts from God in the sense that we have talents. There are some of us who are better at some things and some of us who are better at others. For example, if there was ever a science problem offered, do not ask me for help unless you want the wrong answer. But I’m assured that someone here could probably help you find that solution. Well, we’re not all the same. So what do we do? Well, do we cower back and say, Well, I can’t do that, so I’m no good here. The problem some of the Corinthians were having was that they were valuing certain gifts higher than others.

They esteemed to have the gifts that were, might we say, prestigious? Or gifts that people wanted because it was better. Do we sometimes get caught in that mindset too? With our plain and ordinary gifts? Do you sometimes say, I just can’t pray like that brother can. I just, I can’t touch people and comfort people the way that sister can. I just, I just don’t know exactly where I fit here. Have you ever wondered, perhaps even in a very local sense, for those of you who are members here, how can I fit in at the work here at South Bumby? What can I do for the kingdom of God and my fellow brothers and sisters? In a specific way. I want to consider this morning, what can I do?

And that means by first acknowledging that there is something that I can do. To say that there is something I can do and do nothing is an excuse and a cop-out. Likewise, just to say I can’t do that, and so to do nothing is likewise also a cop-out. We cannot be cowards in the kingdom of God. We need to be workers and slaves to righteousness, and that includes getting down and dirty and serving the Lord. If we consider in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and verse 14, no doubt it continues. For the body does not consist of one member, but of many. If the foot should say, because I’m not a hand, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body.

And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would it be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, get this, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. I’d like you to consider this morning in just a brief application way. Consider the talents of several men that I’m going to put before you. Lindy Baker. Bob Harkwriter.

Mike Manier. You know, all three of those men do a lot of work for others and for the church and the works that go on here at this building. And you know what? You probably thought of something different and specific to each one of them, didn’t you? It doesn’t make any one of them better than the other. It means they all have a part. And they all do their part. And so what we can see is, you know what? We can serve God. And it’s a joy. It should be something we look forward to. We crave to be useful to God. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing? Amen. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing to serve God? God has blessed us with so much, and sometimes we let ourselves off the hook.

1. You Can Encourage Like Tychicus

Let’s consider what can I do? So go back with me to Colossians chapter 4. Let’s look at some of these people that Paul greeted and was giving special commendation to. What can I do? Let’s start by suggesting that you can encourage, like Tychochus. In verse 7 of Colossians chapter 4, remember, Tychochus will tell you all about my activities. Note these qualities given of him. He is a beloved brother, and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. If you consider how he would be encouraging, certainly he was passing along the news of Paul. He was handling the letters. We actually know a good amount about Tychochus as compared to some names that we see in the Bible just one time.

In fact, let’s look at a couple of those instances. Look with me in Ephesians chapter 6. Look in Ephesians chapter 6. I’d ask you to turn with me to note this. Ephesians chapter 6, beginning in verse 21. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes in verse 21, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. Tychochus, the beloved brother and faithful minister, and the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may what? Encourage your hearts. We also find him in Acts chapter 20 and verse 4, and in 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 12, and I believe there’s also a couple other passages, at least one other, that we find.

Tychicus. But what I want to suggest to you this morning is that he had a purpose. Tychicus was not Paul, and yet he was a tremendous aid to Paul. Do you notice that? Paul was an apostle. He wrote much of our canonized New Testament scripture, and we say, everyone should want to be like Paul, and yet Tychochus found his role and he helped. Paul trusted him. He was a faithful brother, a beloved brother, excuse me, a faithful minister, a fellow servant. What a trifecta that is, isn’t it? For the men in the congregation, how wonderful would it be to describe of you that you are a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant. Make no mistake, this was not some accident that Paul chose Tychochus to do these jobs.

Tychochus was committed to the cause of Christ, and he did what he could. And you know what came as part of that message, as part of carrying on the letters and of the news of Paul? It was an encouragement to the brothers and sisters that he presented it to. And don’t we all sometimes need a little bit of encouragement and comfort. Consider with me a dark time in your life. A time that you were sad or down. Was there anyone there that particularly stood out to you? Maybe someone passed away and someone had particular words of comfort. Or maybe beyond the words of comfort, someone was just there for a gentle, loving embrace. Sometimes a hug goes a long way, doesn’t it? Have you ever been in that situation where words are not enough, but a hug means all the difference in the world.

Maybe it wasn’t you that necessarily went through something, but a loved one, and you saw the way that people cared for them, and you were thankful and grateful. You know, the truth is this life is going to come with its ups and downs, and boy, are there some downs, and boy, are there some ups sometimes. We sometimes forget about the ups while we’re on them. But when we have a family, when we are all one in Christ, we can look for the opportunity to lift someone up. Just like when we were down, someone lifted us up. It’s almost like God had a perfect plan, isn’t it? We see that what can I do? I can be an encouragement to others. How? I can pass along good news.

I can pass along good tidings, I can pass along teachings from Scripture that will help encourage us to get through the day in these times. And the truth is, we all can do this. There is not a single person here who couldn’t do that. And what I want to let you know, when you look around, you can see people who are doing it. If you don’t know how, just look around and find someone who is. Because there are plenty of comforters and encouragers here. Can you imagine the atmosphere? If everyone was an encouragement, if everyone exhorted one another and helped pick them up when we were down, no one would be left down. We’d all just be running around picking each other up, making sure we stay up.

That’s about as funny as it’s going to get this morning, so you can take that and run with it. But seriously, though, consider the impact of a group where everyone is looking out for one another. Consider if everyone knew scripture and was willing to go the extra mile, literally go miles, like Tigekus did, to be an encouragement, to spread good news. What a wonderful place that would be. And again, I say, it’s almost like God planned a family that way. You notice back in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, the comparison being made. He talks about if a foot is upset, just because the foot doesn’t want to be a part of the body, just because the foot doesn’t feel like it’s adequate, does not make it not part of the body.

2. Work Like Aristarchus Did

There is no excuse. And just because an ear is not an eye, doesn’t make it any less a part of the body. It is a necessary function. And so maybe encouragement is tough, and maybe we need to work on it. But what can I do in the meantime? What else can I do? Well, maybe you can just work like Aristarchus did. Notice in verse 10. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus, who is called justice. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God. And they have been a comfort to me. So who is this Aristarchus? Well, turn with me in the book of Acts.

I want to look at two different passages here. In the book of Acts, they’re going to be really close to each other, so it’s worth the trip. Acts chapter 19. It would be worth it anyway, but maybe I got an extra couple page turns there. In Acts chapter 19, beginning in verse 29. And this is during the period about where there’s a riot at Ephesus. Notice actually in verse 28. When they heard this, they were enraged and were crying out, greatest Artemis of the Ephesians. So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, who were Paul’s companions in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him.

And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew for about two hours, they all cried out with one voice. Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. Look at Acts chapter 20 and verse 4. If you look towards the end of that, and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secondus, and Gaius of Derby, and Timothy and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.

These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. What did Aristarchus do? He worked. What did Aristarchus not do? Cowered down. It didn’t matter that there was a riot at Ephesus. It didn’t matter that their faith was literally causing this big uproar. They were lucky, in fact, that they were afraid of the Romans coming down harshly on them. But he stuck with them. What was he called? A fellow servant, a fellow worker. He was a comfort to Paul. How? Because he was in the trenches doing something. And the scriptures aren’t exactly specific. We don’t know, like Tychicus that he just carried a letter.

We don’t know what he did 24 7, let me put it that way, and what the scriptures reveal. But what we do know is he was a fellow worker. In fact, uh the scripture in Colossians chapter 4, what did it say? Look again at verse 11. What did it denote about them? These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They have been a comfort to me. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers. And in verse 10, what does he greet him as? Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you. Aristarchus was not afraid to work. Aristarchus was not afraid of consequences. And you see, when we can unravel the magnitude of obeying Christ, it is worth it.

And we can do it if we just see it through the lens that Aristarchus did. It didn’t matter that there was a riot. It didn’t matter that Paul was imprisoned. It didn’t matter that he perhaps even was imprisoned. It mattered that the cause of Christ was put forward. It matters that he helped out those who were helping the cause of Christ. And we can all do some work, can’t we? Open your song books in number 620. Open your song books. Yes, we are going to use our song books this morning. Even if we try to get out of it by looking off the screen this morning. In number 620. Room in God’s kingdom. Notice verse 1. Number 620. There is room in the kingdom of God, my brother, for the small things that you can do.

Just a small kindly deed that may cheer another is the work God has planned for you. Just a cup of cold water in his name given, may the hope in some heart renew. Do not wait to be told, nor by sorrow driven, to the work God has planned for you. There’s a place in the service of God for workers who are loyal to him and true. Can’t you say to him now, I will leave the shirkers, and the work thou hast planned, I’ll do. If there’s a good attitude to have that is found there, leave the shirkers. Go to the work of God. And you know what? We can all do something. And what I mean by that is if you have a skill, if you see even in a physical way something around the building that you can take care of, do it.

I like to think of uh when I was growing up, a common phrase in my household was, okay, if you don’t want to do it, who is? Because oftentimes I’d say, that’s not my job. And the response would be, well, who is whose job is it? Do we have that attitude sometimes around the church building? We say, well, something’s over there, but that’s not my job. I’m glad I’m not that guy. I’m glad I’m not her. Or you know what, if I, and maybe it’s this one. You know, if I leave that, somebody will get to it. Boy, has more work ever been left undone by the phrase, somebody will do it, than perhaps any other thought process in history. We should consider that I can do it.

And not just because I have to, or because it’s something that I can do and so I must, but because I can, because it’s a joy to serve God. What a wonderful thing that I can help out my brothers and sisters this way. What a wonderful thing that I can do it so somebody else doesn’t have to. You know what may break your heart on something as simple as picking up something off the ground? Maybe some, you know, some of the older, as Leon might say, geezers, like Adam in the back. Maybe if I pick up a piece of trash, he doesn’t have to bend down and hurt his back to do it. If you think about that. Sometimes when we pass something, we just say somebody will get to it.

You don’t realize who’s getting to it? What does that mean for them? What do they have to leave? What is impacted by them? And most importantly, when you think about the concept of the idea of the apostles, remember in Acts chapter 6, they didn’t want to leave, they didn’t want to leave the gospel to serve tables. Why? There was work they could do, but not if they couldn’t get the other stuff done as well. So someone can do something. If you do something, that enables someone else to do something even else. And now you’re stacking up, and now we’re rolling as a congregation. If we’re all encouraged, we’re all working. Now there’s stuff to do. There’s people working, there’s encouragement flowing. What a group that would be.

3. Struggling in Prayer Like Epaphras

But it doesn’t even stop there. Notice the next point. What can I do? This is something we all can do. Note it with me, beginning in verse 12 of Colossians chapter 4. Epaphras, I really want to make a point out of this one. Epaphras, beginning in Colossians chapter 4 and verse 12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus. Again, what a description of someone, a servant of Christ Jesus. Reads to you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hieropolis. Again, I’m not going to move off of it. What a description to be a servant of Jesus Christ.

And he also is in other scriptures, but we’ll just look at one, Colossians chapter 1 and verse 7. Note him? In Colossians chapter 1 and verse 7, just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. So we know a little bit about Epaphras, but what I want to talk about is struggling on their behalf in prayer. You know what, something? We can all do this. We all should do this. In fact, is there a reason that we would not do this? I’m afraid there might not be, but notice how he prayed. Look with me, beginning again in verse 12. Always struggling on your behalf in his prayers.

He always did it. If you notice, it kind of fulfills a point made earlier in the chapter. Look at Colossians chapter 4 and verse 2. What did Paul exhort the Colossians to? Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word to declare the mystery of Christ on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Paul understood the power, the impact of prayer. And if we would do the same, it would not get left undone, I am assured. If we understood how wonderful, how powerful, truly talking to God is and putting our petitions before him, continuing steadfastly in prayer, and prayer with a purpose, as we’ll see in a moment.

Why would we ever stop? And then all of a sudden, 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verse 17, pray without ceasing. Kind of makes more sense than we sometimes take it in a vacuum. Notice how it continues, though. He prayed always, struggling on your behalf. He was fervently praying. He was agonizingly praying. This wasn’t something he was just nonchalant about. It wasn’t something he was doing to fulfill a target or a quota. He’s doing it because he truly was invested in both the power of praying to God and the impact it would have on the Colossian brothers and sisters. And notice it’s not just that he always prayed. It’s not just with the emotion and the care that he prayed, but what did he do? He prayed personally, struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in the will of God.

He prayed with a purpose. How do I get this mindset that Epaphras had? How do I continue steadfastly in prayer? Have a purpose. And this is how we can do it. It’s so easy for us to do this if we take that purpose. So not only did he pray always, he prayed fervently. He prayed with a purpose, and he prayed with a goal that they may stand mature. If we do that, there’s no reason not to pray. That’s everything. And you say, well, I can do that. What should I pray about? Look around. This is not one of the times I’m actually testing you to see if you actually do it. There’s something to pray for. I assure you, if you need something to pray for, pray for Kashka.

She lives with me. There’s no reason we can’t do this. And again, I tell you, if we can encourage like Tigrekus, and we’re all working like Aristarchus, and we prayed for each other like Epaphorus, what could stop us? If the power of God is behind our work ethic and our devotion to encouraging one another, we have every front cover. Who can hold us down? The answer is no one because God is on our side. And again, it comes back to why can I do this? What should I be seeking for? For what purpose? Because I can. And because I can serve God, because I can talk to God, and because if I had the love for my brothers and sisters that the scriptures continually suggest that I should, I will want.

4. Hosting Like Nympha

And dare I say crave to do that. We all know understand how habits work. It’s if you keep doing them over and over again. But let me ask you if you get into the habit of something, you kind of miss it when you stop, right? You don’t feel quite right. Perhaps we should get in the habit of praying for one another. Boy, what an impact that could have. Now I just want to look at a few quickly. And look in verse 15 of Colossians chapter 4. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laosia and to Nympa and the church and her house. I just want to make a quick point on hosting like Nympha. What can you do practically? There is something you can do. It doesn’t matter.

5. Don’t Be Like Demas

It doesn’t record that she was speaking. It didn’t record necessarily that she even prepared the Lord’s Supper there. But she used something that she had. And she used it for the benefit of God in her local congregation. What a concept, right? Again, it’s almost like it’s God’s plan that we all have things that we can do. We all have something to offer, even if it’s something physical. Even if it’s something that is just very practical. Now, I do want to discuss one thing quickly. Looking again at verse 14 of Colossians chapter 4. Note how Paul says, Luke, the beloved physician greets you as does Demas. Demas likewise is found in different scriptures. And Philemon verse 24. He’s a fellow worker with Paul. But notice with me in 2 Timothy chapter 4.

Look with me there. In 2 Timothy chapter 4. In verse 10, some sad words offered. 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 10. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Can I suggest that what can I do? Don’t be like Demas. He was distracted. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me. How do we end up doing nothing? How come we don’t do these things? Encourage, work, pray, host? Because we get distracted. Because it’s about me. Because it’s about my pleasures. Demas loved the world. And so he deserted Paul. And we can only assume that means he deserted Christ. But I want to make one final point this morning. And you say, well, you know what?

6. Praise Others Like Paul

I’m not quite good at encouraging yet. I kind of want to work. I know I should pray. I know I have some physical things I can offer to help people. I don’t want to leave the Lord. What can I do? Something you can do this day, and maybe even in between Bible class and this lesson, you can praise others like Paul. Can you imagine if everyone in this congregation went behind each other’s back, complimenting each other? Everyone to somebody else complimenting the work of somebody else. Not just doing something where you get the credit of the compliment. If I walk up to Brother John and say, You are a great Bible student, that reflects well on me too. But if I tell someone else what a great Bible student John is, whoa.

Conclusion

What impact we can have. If we are encouraging one another, if we are working in the kingdom, if we are praying, if we are using our physical assets to give back to God, since, by the way, he gave them to us anyway. We stick with the faith and don’t leave it like Demas. And we praise others. We will be an unstoppable force, an unstoppable workers in the kingdom of God. And what else is there in life to live for? Please pray with me. Our dear God and most gracious and powerful Heavenly Father, you are the Lord Almighty. You are the mighty God. It is to you whom we praise and owe all things. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for guiding us. And oh God, help us to live and look for opportunities to serve you.

Oh God, please help us to learn to pray unselfishly. Help us to take advantage of prayer that you offer, because it connects us with you, and that is the power of prayer, being connected to you, our Almighty Father. Please forgive us of our wrongs and help us to go into the service and constantly live for you and learn more about you and your word.

Amen. We’re going to now dismiss the Bible class.